Articulator



s. G. wElss 3,018,551

ARTICULATOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 30, 1962 Filed July 21, 1960 IN VENTOR.

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nited States Patent 3,018,551 ARTICULATOR Saul G. Weiss, 411 BarnesBldg., Muskogee, Okla. Filed July 21, 1960, Ser. No. 44,480 Claims. (Cl.32-32) This invention relates to a novel denture articulator.

The primar-y object of the invention is the provision of a generallysuperior, more efficient, more versatile, and more easily used device ofthe kind indicated, by the use of which more exact and preciseequilibration of upper and lower artificial dentures is readilyobtainable.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a simpler deviceof the character indicated above wherein the upper denture member isstationary when in use, and the lower denture is spring-supported forsimulating accurately the meeting pressures of upper and lower denturesin the mouth of a patient, as exerted by the jaw muscles, and the lowermember is movable to `opposite sides of a center line for simulatingaccurately the lateral movements of the lower jaw of a patient, thelower member also being movable protiusively and retractively.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of thecharacter indicated above which is operable to determine exactly thecorrect free-space between upper and lower dentures, in a mannereliminating the necessity and inconvenience of lowering the lowerdenture, and in a manner enabling reestablishment of the freespacemeasurement whenever desired, with the same dentures.

yOther important objects and advantageous 'features of the inventionwill be apparent from the following description and the accompanyingdrawings, wherein, for .purposes of illustration only, a specific formof the invention is set forth in detail.

In the drawings:

FIGURE l is a side elevation of the device of the invention showingupper and lower dentures heldin occluded positions thereon;

FIGURE 2 is a right-hand end elevation of FIGURE l, with the denturesremoved;

FIGURE 3 is a top plan View of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 4 is a vertical longitudinal section taken substantially on theline 44 of FIGURE 3, with portions broken away and in section.

Referring in detail to the drawings, wherein like numerals designatelike parts throughout the several views, the illustrated devicecomprises an elongated horizontal, preferably rectangular frame 1l),preferably in the form of a flat plate having rear and formed ends 12and 14, respectively, and depending support-engaging feet extendingdownwardly therefrom. The feet include laterally spaced forward feet 16,located at theforward corners of the frame 10, laterally spaced rearfeet 18 spaced inwardly of the rear corners of the frame, and laterallyspaced intermediate feet 20. The intermediate feet are in longitudinalalignment with the forward feet 16 and are located near to and arespaced forwardly from the rear feet 18. There also depends from theplate 10, midway between and centered with respect to the forward feetA16 and the intermediate feet 20, a single depending boss 22, throughwhich extends a vertical pivot bore 24 opening through the frame 10.

Overlying the frame 10 is a preferably rectangular horizontal base 26comprising a flat horizontal plate 28 having front and rear edges 30 and32, respectively. The base plate 28 has a central depending boss 34which can rest rotatably upon the top of the frame 10, and has athreaded vertical bore 35 therethrough, which is registered with theframe bore 24. A knurled head combined tension adjusting and lockingscrew 36 extends ice upwardly through the bores 24 and 36 and has a,shank which has a smooth portion 38, turning in the frame bore 24, and athreaded portion 40` which is threaded in the base plate bore 35.Depending from the base frame 28, at the forward edge 42 thereof and theside edges thereof, are slides 44 and 45, which can bear slidably uponthe upper surface of the frame 10.

Fixed to and depending from the base plate 28, and its corners, arevertical front and rear pins 46 and 48, respectively, which are smallerin diameter than and extend freely into front and rear sockets 50 and52, respectively, which are formed through the frame 10 and its frontand rear feet 16 and 18, respectively. Helical expansion springs 54 arecircumposed on the pins and are compressed between the undersides of thebase plate 28 and the bottoms 56 of the sockets. The springs 54 are of astrength and vertical dimension to simulate the muscular contractingpressure of a patients lower jaw ltoward his upper jaw in occluding thejaws, and to sometimes space the base plate 28 above the frame 10.

Removably and rotatably bearing upon the base plate 28 is a U-shapedlower denture carrier, generally designated 58, which comprises a pairof longitudinally extending parallel spaced arms 60 which, at their rearends, are fixed to an upstanding transversely elongated bight portion orflange 62, which has a longitudinally `and concavely curved upper edge64. The upper edge 64 terminates, at its ends, inwardly of the verticalside edges A66 of the flange 62, so as to define thereat upstandingshoulders 68 which have downwardly threaded therethrough verticalclamping screws 70. It is to be noted that the clamping screws 70constitute means for limiting the endwise movement of the carrier 58relative to the base plate 28, and that the looking screw 36consti-tutes means for limiting the rotational'movement of the carrier58 relative to the base plate 28.

For limiting forward and lateral shifting of the lower denture carrier58, relative to the base plate 28, the arms 6i) have suitably fixedtherein depending pins 72, spaced therealong, which extend downwardlyinto circular openings 74, formed in the base plate 28, at locationsspaced lateral inwardly and longitudinally inwardly from related ones ofthe base plate pins 46 and 4S. The openings 74 are substantially largerin diameter than the carrier pins 72. Thus, the pins 72 constitute meansfor limiting the lateral movement of the carrier 58 relative to the baseplate 28.

For locking the lower denture carrier in a centered position, bothlaterally and longitudinally relative to the base plate 28, knurled headlocking screws 76 extend `downwardly through bores 78 provided in thecarrier arms y60, near their forward ends, which are adapted to bethreaded into threaded bores 80 provided in the base plate 2S, neartheir front ends 46.

The lower denture carrier 58 further comprises a horizontal U-shapedlower denture support S2 which comprises parallel spaced longitudinallegs 84 and an arcuate bight portion 86, the legs 84 being slidablyengaged through horizontal bores `88 provided in the shoulders l68 ofthe carrier flange `62, wherein the legs can be locked in forwardly andrearwardly adjusted positions, by means of the screws 70.

The lower denture support 82. further comprises a lower denture pan 92,preferably in the form of a at horizontal plate which is downwardly oset`from the legs 84 and which is connected to the legs 84 and to the bightportion 86 by means of side webs 94, and a forward web 96, respectively.The pan 92 has a forward extension 98, centered on its forward end,which reaches forwardly from the bight portion and carries a vertical,downwardly extending centering pin having a pointed lower end 192, whichtraverses an arcuate 3 scale 104 which is provided upon the uppersurface of the base plate 28 along the forward edge thereof, whereby acentered position of, and lateral positions of the carrier 58 can beaccuratelv determined.

Mounted upon the frame 10, along the rear edge thereof, is a pair oflaterally spaced perpendicular standards 106 which have reduced diameterlower end portions 108 which are securably engaged in sockets 110provided in the frame and in the rear feet 18 thereof. The standards 106reach above the lower denture carrier 58 and are provided, along upperend portions thereof, with the vertical scales 112, for gauging thecornbined thicknesses of upper and lower dentures A and B, respectively,and their mountings. A horizontal transversely elongated base block 114extends between the standards 106 and has bores 116, at its ends, whichslidably receive the standards 106, and set screws 118 are threadedforwardly through the block 114 into these bores to engage the standardsand lock the block in vertically adjusted positions on the standards.The block 114 has on its longitudinally extending face bow attachingpins 120.

Located above and resting upon the base block 114, between the standards106, is an upper denture carrier generally designated 122. The carrier122 comprises a pair of parallel spaced horizontal longitudinal sidearms 124 which can rest upon and extend forwardly and rearwardly of theblock 114. A pivot bolt 126 extends between and through the rear ends ofthe arms 124, on which is journaled the rear end portion of a mountingblock 128, whose sides engage the side arms 124, and which has aforwardly opening horizontal groove 130 in its forward end 132, as shownin FIGURE 4. A vertical looking screw 134 is threaded downwardly in abore 136 in the top of the mounting block 128, so as to lock in thegroove 130 a rearwardly extending tongue 138 on a horizontally andlongitudinally elongated adapter block 140.

The adapter block 140 is formed with a central longitudinal closedadjustment slot 142, and a removable combined stop and locking screw 144extends downwardly through the slot 142 and is threaded, as indicated at146, in a forwardly projecting ledge 148 on the base block 114. The head150 of the screw 144 is adapted to be tightened to bear upon the top ofthe adapter block 140 for the dual purposes of holding the arms 124, themounting block 128, and the adapter block 140 down upon the base block114 in the horizontal position, from an upwardly-swung position, shownin phantom lines in FIGURE 4, to parallelism with the base plate 28 ofthe lower denture carrier 58; and to lock the adapter block 140 in aforwardly or rearwardly or protrussed or retracted adjusted position,relative to the adapter block 140 and the lower denture carrier 58.

Extending forwardly from and located in the plane of the adapter block140 is a U-shaped upper denture support 152 which has parallel legs 154slidably engaged through bores 156 provided adjacent the ends of theadapter block 140, and an arcuate bight portion 158. The legs 154 areadapted to be locked, in longitudinal adjustment, in the bores 156, bymeans of Vertical set screws 160, threaded downwardly through theadapter block. The bight portion 158 has a central, arcuate, forwardlyprojecting nose 162.

In using and operating the device, the following steps are taken:

(1) The base plate 28 must be securely locked to the frame 10, by meansof the screw 36 on the under side of the frame 10.

(2) The lower member 58 must be securely locked to the base plate 28 bymeans of the set screws 76.

(3) The upper member 122 can be raised on the standards 106 according tothe thickness of the models and also the vertical dimension of thebite-blocks, and

4 the height can be gauged precisely, by means of the scales 112.

(4) The models, with the bite-blocks, are then attached to the lower andupper members with plaster.

(5) After the plaster has set, the upper member can be swung upwardlyand setting of the teeth can be begun. However, the lower member muststay locked to the base plate, which is locked to the frame, until theset-up is nished or completed.

(6) After the set-up is completed, the upper member is raised andfull-denture articulating paper is placed on the lower member and bothmembers are occluded on the articulating paper, whereas the upper memberis locked in its horizontal position, so as to be stationary therein.

(7) The lower member is then unlocked from the base plate 26, and thebase plate is unlocked from the frame 10.

(8) Being certain that the upper and lower set-ups are waxed securely tothe models, equilibration with the device of the invention can start bymoving the lower member laterally, left and right, from the median orcentral line on the base 26, and also protrusively and retractively, andthe lower member rotated. All movements of the lower jaw are therebysimulated, and these movements are obtained at the same time that thebase 26, working vertically on the springs 54, is simulating the muscletension of mastication.

(9) After repeating the step No. 8 a few times, the upper member isunlocked and elevated, and all carbon markings on ythe buccal csps ofthe upper molars and bicuspids are removed by grinding. The lingualcusps of the upper posteriors are never to be ground. The carbonmarkings on the incisors are also ground off. The lower denture carrier58 is then removed from the base plate 26 and the carbon markings on thelingual cusps of the lower molars and bicuspids are ground off. Thebuccal cusps of the lower posteriors are not to be ground olf. Also,grind off the carbon markings on the lower incisors.

Repeat steps Nos. 8 and 9 until there are no carbon markings on thebuccal cusps of the upper posteriors and no carbon markings on thelingual cusps of the lower posteriors, after equilibration.

(l0) If steps Nos. 8 and 9 have been properly carried out, it will befound that by the movements of the lower member and the base 26,equilibration will have been obtained, as well as free-space, thus,doing away with the lowering of the bite blocks to obtain that space, asis the case with ordinary articulators, and the intended verticaldimension, as the amount of space can be gauged by the screw 36 whichlocks and regulates the base 26 for tension, giving more-or-lessmovement to the base plate. If it be desired to prove the freespaceobtained- 1% to 2%. milimeters-the lower member is locked to the baseplate 26, leaving the base plate unlocked, and pressing down on thelower member and Visually inspecting the relationship of the lowerset-up to the upper set-up.

(11) The lower member can then be removed from the base 26 for easierhandling in waxing and carving; and so can the upper member be removed,and either or both replaced in their precise former positions.

While there has been shown and described herein a preferred form of theinvention, it is to be understood that the invention is not necessarilyconfined thereto, and that any change or changes in the structure of andin the relative arrangements of components thereof are contemplated asbeing within the scope of the invention as defined by the claimsappended hereto.

What is claimed is:

1. A dental articulator comprising a horizontal frame, a base plateoverlying and resting upon the frame, spring means urging the base plateupwardly away from the frame, vertical combined tension adjusting andlocking screw means connecting the base plate with the frame foroptionally locking the base plate to the vtranne and releasing the baseplate above the frame under tension of said spring means, a lowerdenture carrier mounted upon said base' plate for limited endwise,lateral, and rotational movements relative to the base plate, means forlimiting the endwise movement of the carrier relative to the base plate,means for limiting the rotational movement of the carrier relative tothe base plate, means for limiting the lateral movement of the carrierrelative to the base plate, and locking screw means for holding thecarrier to the base plate in a centered position.

2. A dental articulator comprising a horizontal frame, a base plateoverlying and resting upon the frame, spring means urging the base plateupwardly away from the frame, vertical combined tension adjusting andlocking screw means connecting the base plate with the frame foroptionally locking the base plate to the frame and releasing t-he baseplate above the frame under tension of said spring means, a lower`denture carrier mounted upon said base plate for limited endwise,lateral, and rotational movements relative to the base plate, means forlimiting the endwise movement of the carrier relative to the base plate,means `for limiting the rotational movement of the carrier relative tothe base plate, means for limiting the lateral movement of tthe carrierrelative to the base plate, and locking screw means for holding thecarrier to the base plate in a centered position, said carriercomprising a horizontal member bearing slidably and rotatably on saidbase plate, an upstanding member fixed on one end of said horizontalmember, and a lower denture support mounted on said upstanding memberand extending over said horizontal member, said denture support beingadjustable endwise relative to the upstanding member.

3. A Adental articulator comprising a horizontal frame, a base plateoverlying and resting upon the frame, spring means urging the base plateupwardly away lfrom the frame, *verticalv combined tension adjusting andlocking screw means connecting the base plate with the frame foroptionally locking the base plate to the frame and releasing the baseplate above .the frame under tension of said spring means, a lowerdenture carrier mounted upon said base plate for limited endwise,lateral, and rotational movements relative to the base plate, means yforlimiting the endwisemovement of the carrier relative to fthe base plate,meansffor limiting the .rotational movement of the carrier relative tothe base plate, means for limiting the lateral movement -of thercarrier.relative to the base plate, andlocking screw means for holding thecarrier to the base plate in a centered position, said carriercomprising a horizontal member bearing slidably and rotatably on saidbase plate, an upstanding member iixed on one end of said horizontalmember, and a lower denture support mounted on said upstanding memberand extending over said horizontal member, said denture support beingadjustable endwise relative to the upstanding member, a dependingcentering pin on said support, and a centering scale on said base platetraversed by the centering pin.

4. A dental articulator comprising a horizontal frame, a base plateoverlying and resting upon the frame, spring means urging the base plateupwardly away from the frame, vertical combined tension adjusting andlocking screw means connecting the base plate with the lframe foroptionally `locking the base plate to the frame and releasing the baseplate above the frame under tension of said spring means, -a lowerdenture carrier mounted upon said base plate for limited endwise,lateral, and rotational movements relative to the base plate, means forlimiting the endwise movement of the carrier lrelative to the baseplate, means for limiting the rotational movement of the carrierrelative to the base plate, means for limiting the lateral movement ofthe carrier relative to the base plate, and locking screw means -forholding the carrier to the base plate in a centered position, standardmeans fixed to and rising from said frame at one end of said base plate,

and an upper denture carrier mounted on said standard means andextending over the lower denture carrier.

5. A dental articulator comprising a horizontal frame, a base plateoverlying and resting upon the frame, spring means urging the base plateupwardly away from the yframe, vertical combined tension adjusting andlocking screw means connecting the base plate with the frame foroptionally locking the base plate to the frame and releasing the baseplate above the frame under tension of said spring means, a lowerdenture carrier mounted upon said base plate for limited endwise,lateral, and rotational movements relative to the base plate, means forlimiting the endwise movement of the carrier relative to the base plate,means for limiting the rotational movement of the `carrier relative tothe base plate, means for limiting the lateral movement of the carrierrelative to the base plate, and locking screw means for holding thecarrier to the base plate in a centered position, standard means xed toand rising from said frame at one end of said base plate, and an upperdenture carrier mounted on said standard means and 'extending over thelower denture carrier, said upper denture carrier comprising avertically adjustable base block engaged on said standard means,normally horizontal arm means bearing upon' said base block, a

mounting -block pivoted on said arm means, to swing from a depressedposition resting upon the base block to an elevated position, an adapterblock -removably connected to said mounting block to move therewith, andan upper denture support fixed to said adapter block.

6. A dental articulator comprising a horizontal frame, a base plateoverly-ing and resting upon the frame, spring means urging the baseplate upwardly away from the lframe, vertical combined tension adjusting:and locking screw means connecting the base plate with the frame foroptionally locking the base plate to the frame and releasing the baseplate above the frame under tension of said spring means, a lowerdenture carrier mounted upon said base plate for limited endwise,lateral, and rotational movements relative to the base plate, means forlimiting the endwise movement of the carrier relative to the base plate,means for limiting the rotational movement of the carrier relative tothe base plate, means for limiting the lateral movement of the carrierrelative to the base plate, and locking screw means for holding theVcarrier to the base plate in a centered position, standard means fixedto and rising from said frame at one end of said base plate, and anupper denture carrier mounted on said standard means and extending overthe lower denture carrier, said upper denture carrier comprising avertically adjustable base block engaged on said standard means,normally horizontal arm means bearing upon said base block, a mountingblock pivoted on said arm means, to swing from a depressed positionresting upon the base block to an elevated position, an adapter blockremovably connected to said mounting block to move therewith, and anupper denture support fixed to said adapter block, and screw and slotmeans acting between the base block and said adapter block providing forendwise adjustment of the adapter block relative to the mounting block.

7. A dental articulator comprising a horizontal frame, a base plateoverlying and resting upon the frame, spring means urging the base plateupwardly away from the frame, vertical combined tension adjusting andlocking screw means connecting the base plate with the frame foroptionally locking the base plate to the frame and releasing the baseplate above the frame under tension of said spring means, a lowerdenture carrier mounted upon said base plate for limited endwise,lateral, and rotational movements relative to the base plate, means -forlimiting the endwise movement of the carrier relative to the base plate,means for limiting the rotational movement of the carrier relative tothe base plate, means for limiting the lateral movement of the carrierrelative to the base plate, and locking screw means for holding thecarrier to the base plate in a centered position, said `frame havingupwardly opening socket means and said base plate having depending pinmeans engaged in the socket means, said spring means comprising helicalsprings circumposed on the pins and compressed between the bottoms ofthe sockets and the under side of the base plate.

8. A `dental articulator comprising a horizontal frame, a base plateoverlying and resting upon the frame, spring means urging the base plateupwardly away from the frame, vertical combined tension adjusting andlocking screw means connecting the base plate with the frame foroptionally locking the base plate to the frame and releasing the baseplate above the frame under tension of said spring means, a lowerdenture carrier mounted upon said base plate for limited endwise,lateral, and rotational movements relative to the base plate, andlocking screw means for holding the carrier to the base plate in acentered position, said carrier comprising a horizontal member bearingslidably and rotatably on said base plate, an upstanding member xed onone end of said horizontal member, and a lower denture support mountedon said upstanding member and extending over said horizontal member,said denture support being adjustable endwise relative to the upstandingmember, said base plate having opening means and said horizontal memberhaving depending pin means, said pin means being smaller in diameterthan and engaged in said opening means, said hori` zontal member havinga threaded opening, and a locking screw engaged with said lower memberand threaded in said threaded opening for locking the lower member in acentered position on the base plate.

9. A dental articulator comprising a horizontal frame, a base plateoverlying and resting upon the frame, spring means urging the base plateupwardly away from the frame, vertical combined tension adjusting andlocking screw means connecting the base plate with the frame foroptionally locking the base plate to the frame and releasing the baseplate above the frame under tension of said spring means, a lowerdenture carrier mounted upon said base plate for limited endwise,lateral, and rotational movements relative to the base plate, andlocking screw means for holding the carrier to the base plate in acentered position, said carrier comprising a horizontal member lbearingslidably and rotatably on said base plate, an upstanding member iixed onone end of said horizontal member, and a lower denture support mountedon said upstanding member and extending over said horizontal member,said denture support being adjustable endwise relative to the upstandingmember, said base plate having opening means and said horizontal memberhaving depending pin means, said pin means being smaller in diameterthan and engaged in said opening means, said horizontal member having athreaded opening, and a locking screw engaged with said lower member andthreaded in said threaded opening for locking the lower member in acentered position on the base plate, a centering scale on said baseplate and a centering pin -depending from said lower vdenture supportand traversing the centering Scale.

10. A dental articulator comprising a horizontal frame, a base plateoverlying and resting upon the frame, Spring means urging the base plateupwardly away from the frame, vertical combined tension adjusting andlocking screw means connecting the base plate with the frame foroptionally locking the base plate to the frame and releasing t-he baseplate above the frame under tension of said spring means, a lowerdenture carrier mounted upon said base plate for limited endwise,lateral, and rotational movements relative to the base plate, means forlimiting the endwise movement of the carrier relative to the base plate,means for limiting the rotational movement of the carrier relative tothe base plate, means for limiting the lateral movement of the carrierVrelative to the base plate, and locking screw means for holding thecarrier to the base plate in a centered position, standard means fixedto and rising from said frame at one end of said base plate, and anupper denture carrier mounted on said standard means and extending overthe lower denture carrier, said 'upper denture carrier comprising avertically adjustable base block engaged on said standard means,normally horizontal arm means bearing upon said base block, a mountingblock pivoted on said arm means, to swing from a depressed positionresting upon the base block to an elevated position, an adapter blockremovably connected to said mounting block to move therewith, and anupper denture support fixed to said adapter block, and screw and slotmeans acting between the base block and said adapter block providing forendwise adjustment of the adapter block relative to the mounting block,and means separably connecting the adapter block to the mounting blockcomprising a groove in an end of the mounting block, a tongue on theadapter block securably engaged in the groove, and a `set screw on themounting block to engage the tongue in the groove.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,722,306 Murray July 30, 1929 2,275,726 Burns `et al. Mar. 10, 19422,959,857 Stoll Nov. 15, 1960

